Police read 250,000 encrypted phone messages, make 14 arrests

Dutch police say they have read more than 250,000 encrypted messages between criminal suspects after seizing a seizing a server in the east of the country.

The server was sequestered as part of an investigation into money laundering, when investigators stumbled across a link to a company selling encrypted phones, using the app Ironchat.

The owner of the cryptophone company, a 46 year old man from Lingewaard, and another man, aged 52, were arrested and their homes searched. They are suspected of money laundering and membership of a criminal organisation.

‘This operation has given us a unique glimpse into a criminal world in which criminal acts were openly discussed,’ local police chief Aart Garssen said.

Being able to read the encrypted messages had led to a drugs lab being broken up and the seizure of €90,000 in cash plus a large amount of cocaine and MDMA, Garsssen said. So far, 14 people have been arrested following the seizure of the server.

DutchNews.nl has been free for 12 years, but now we are asking our readers to help. Your donation will enable us to keep providing you with fair and accurate news and features about all things Dutch. Donate via Ideal, credit card or Paypal.

Help us to keep providing you with independent daily news and longer reads

Dutchnews.nl is independent and receives no state or other funding. We work with professional journalists, translators and photo agencies who understand the Netherlands well. All this comes at a price.